Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

PoV: ???

I can remember it clear as day. No, rather than always remembering it, it would be more accurate to say I could never forget it. A vivid experience so thoroughly burned into my mind I could never even hope to forget it. It’s the only thing I can think about as I stand over Camlann Hill, gazing out at the bodies of fallen knights, who’s only crime was having a failure of a King as their leader.

Just the weeks before, I’d seen them laughing, smiling, sparring, drinking and eating. The light in their eyes filled with joy and pride, in themselves and in their kingdom. Their joy was an infectious thing, though I did well to never let it sway me, another inhumane trait the King would bear. Their smiles were what I fought for, those were the treasures I swore to protect, even at the cost of my own self.

Though alongside that light, there was a conflicted feeling in their eyes when we’d meet. A distrust deeply rooted in their spirits, a feeling of horror aimed at their perfect King. But they were my knights, and I trusted them all the same, regardless of what they thought of me.

The worst part of it all is that none of them had been from an enemy kingdom. They’d all been my knights, sworn to fight for myself and no one else. We’d been through much together, every battle and celebration, spent in each other’s presence. I believed we’d come to an understanding, even if they did not understand me.

I was wrong.

They rebelled against me. Led by one of my closest knights, one bearing my own face, they’d occupied Camelot, and forced my remaining knights, those precious few that had stuck by my side, to lay siege to their own home. They’d betrayed me, turned on me, sided with the corpse laying at my feet. He’d been my own blood, though illegitimate.

I killed him all the same.

Yet despite their treachery, I blamed no one but myself. The fault, in the end, lied with me. I had failed them. All of them. Aggravain, Lancelot, Tristan, Galahad, Gareth, Gawain, Mordred, Percival, even my brother Kay. I’d let them all down. Their blood was on the hands of no one but myself.

It’s why I sought it.

The miracle I desired more than anything. The miracle would undo my reign, and give the people of Camelot a better King, a King they deserved. The miracle I was willing to do anything for.

The miracle Kiritsugu Emiya forced me to destroy with my own hands.

We'd never gotten along, him and I. But as much as I disapproved of his actions, his intent, his dream, his goal, was something I could respect. We never bothered with each other, our interactions few and far between, and even then we never spoke.

It's part of why I would never forget his betrayal.
The first and last words he spoke to me were commands forcing me to destroy my only hope. It was inexplicable, for he had desired the Grail just as much as I had. To force me to destroy it just like that.

I bite my lip in frustration, hands balled into fists clench in indignant fury.

I shake my head to clear my memories of the War, though I know it's an exercise in futility. Between Kiritsugu, Archer, Rider, Caster,and Lancelot, that War was something I'd never forget.

I stand over Camlann Hill and can think of nothing but my own failure. I'd failed so many ti-

“Are you done sulking, my King?”

A whimsical, impossible voice reaches my ears from behind. I whirl around immediately, the voice sparking memories of the past to push to the forefront of my mind.

“Y-you? How can you be here?”

He doesn't respond, a mysterious, playful smile his only reply. My eyes are widened and my jaw slacked in shock, the last I'd heard from him was before he'd been sealed away. His presence here was an impossibility on all accounts, even I knew that, limited though my knowledge of Magecraft was.

“As much as I'd like to regale you of my wonderful, awe-inspiring escape from that Tower, I'd be credited a liar if I did so.”

“........A liar?”

The smile on his face flickers, and ah-

I blink.

“An illusion?”

He smiles proudly, like a teacher would to a student, even though our days as such had long passed.

“Yes yes my adorable King, even I cannot escape that Tower so easily so I had to compromise like this.”

“Compromise? For what?”

His smile fades away, his face taking on a more serious expression. It surprises me, I could count the amount of times I'd seen him so serious on one hand.

“I'm here to warn you my King, something grave will take place in your next expedition.”

I absorb his words slowly, a sense of dredge beginning to settle in my chest.

“A warning? Something grave? With how vague you're being, it sounds like you're giving me a prophecy.”

His smile returns, though the difference in emotion confirms my growing fear.

“It’s because I am my Kin-”

The World around us flashes. And I can feel my body fading. I am familiar with the feeling, I'd experienced it before when I'd been summoned by Kiritsugu. It's the sign of my summoning, and that the Grail had called for me once more. The resolution that filled me during the first summoning was nowhere to be seen however, replaced by dread at the Mage's warning.

I lose my feet first, the feeling akin to sinking in water. I quickly turn my head to him,

“The prophecy, what is it!?!”

His eyes, that had been watching my form disappear, rise to meet mine.

He opens his mouth.

“On the eve of the pale Night, on the cusk of the bleak Morning, the End shall appear clothed in Black and White. A creature like no other, a Beast born from your own home, shall bring about Armageddon.”

His pink orbs stared into my soul, my form almost completely sunken.

“When the Sun falls the King will be faced with a choice, a decision, that will decide the fates of all. To sacrifice what he fought for most, or to continue on that broken path and sink into the Sea of Death.”

I'm almost completely gone now, but that doesn't deter him.

“On the Night of the Coronation all will be made clear, and Humanity shall meet its judgment head on.”

Chapter Text

Hello dear readers, I know the story says three chapters, but this one is less a chapter-chapter and more a short little informational chapter.

This story will be split into three arcs, at the end, and simultaneously the beginning, of an arc I will post these short informational chapters.

These will be Q&A’s, a summary of the story so far, some foreshadowing and hints to the conflict of the following arc, and lastly, stat pages listing the abilities and information about all the characters that have been revealed so far.

I imagine some of you might have an idea on what might happen, or at the very least can spot the differences in the tags, on the A03 side at least.

For my FFN readers you won't have that advantage, so naturally it’s up to me to get you there through what I hope is passable storytelling.

So sit back and enjoy the ride. If you have a complaint, please comment and I’ll do my best to respond adequately. Without further ado:

“Have you come to visit me? You shouldn’t waste your time like that, ya know.” Despite her words, a soft smile had found its way onto her lips.

‘An anomaly, with circuits actively open but is completely mundane.’ It was enough to leave even a genius like myself stumped, an odd case among odd cases.

A light bathes over that ethereal figure, the heat from before long forgotten.

“I ask of you, are you my Master?”

“Onii-chan, I believe you spent enough time with these boorish women.” her smile was nothing more less than beauty itself, which was what made her next words so terrifying, “Fetch him for me, Berserker.”

Chapter Text

PoV: ???

CLANG!

Rough, callused hands swung the hammer at a rhythmic pace, going through the motions like a perfect machine that never faltered.

CLANG!

The blacksmith’s mind was completely focused, not even the most tempting distraction could sway him. A passion, like a raging flame, burning inside his heart. Calm amber eyes, seeing what no one else could.

CLANG!

The hammer struck the molten steel, shaping it into the dangerous form of a weapon. Powerful blows rained down on the blade, purging it of impurities, preparing for the final strike.

CLANG!

The song of steel ends, he reaches for his tongs, still completely focused. The blacksmith picks up the blade and brings it over to the barrel, navigating gracefully through his forest of weapons stabbed into the forge floor, before plunging it into the cold water. Steam fills the room, dampening his red locks, and mixing with the sweat running down his bare chest. He doesn't even take a break to rest, his focus never broken, an unshakable calm contrasting the hellish heat of the forge.

He cast an intimidating form, chest bare, lean muscle exposed, standing impassively in a city of steel.

That was the image I’d walked in on.

I lasted all of twelve seconds before I fainted.

“Ah, Sakura!”

-Scene-

“Are you sure you're alright?”

“Ah, it's fine Senpai, the heat got to me is all.”

His uniquely shaped eyebrows furrowed in worry, and I couldn't help the pang in my heart. I didn't like to make him worry, but I couldn't deny it felt…pleasant to know he cared so much.

He frowned, but thankfully didn't push it. Looking thoroughly unconvinced, he stood up from the table, his amber gaze focused entirely on me.

“Well since you're here we can get started on breakfast.” A callused hand, a sign of his hard work and dedication, reaches out to me and I accept his aid in standing up.

‘Fujimura-sensei and that girl will be here soon.’ I ponder over how much time I have alone with Senpai, ‘I wasted so much time unconsciously.’ Resolving to make up for it, I follow him into the kitchen.

I'd grown used to this, the monotony of life in this house. It'd been our routine for the last five years, and it was my favorite part of the day.

I'd wake him up if he wasn't up already, rare as that was, then we'd head to the kitchen and cook together side by side like newlyweds.

The thought alone makes me flush, thankfully his back is to me so he doesn’t see it. Afterwards, Fujimura-sensei and her…. Daughter? Sister?

‘I’m not quite sure of their relationship status. All I know is….No, nevermind.’

Though the thought of Fujimura-sensei with a child was amusing.

They’d arrive and complete our little family, we'd sit down to eat together. Usually Senpai or Fujimura-sensei would compliment my growing culinary skills, I’d get a little embarrassed as Fujimura-sensei would tease me, and that troublesome girl would pout. It was a simple cycle, days blending into one. Nothing special about it in the slightest, but it was the one thing I loved more than anything, the one thing I wanted to protect more than anything.

Every moment I spent here was heaven, a frighteningly short bliss I didn’t want to let go of.
It scared me, the possibility of Grandfather finding this place, this haven.
I was afraid, more than anything that it’d be taken away, that it would be used against me.

Yet a part of me knew the truth. It knew I didn’t deserve this place, these people. Not Senpai, not Fujimura-sensei, not even that dreadful little girl. This little peace of heaven, this beautiful dream of paradise, didn’t belong in the hands of such a disgusting person. I could feel them now, torturing my dirty body from the inside, a constant reminder that I was unclean, a stain on this perfect picture.

Yet despite that,

‘I don’t want to let go.’

A singular plea, a desperate wish.

‘Even if it’s short, even if it’s wrong of me!’

Was that so wrong of me, that a person as disgusting and dirty as myself could long for this happiness to last forever?

As I stood there gazing into the fridge, It was all I could think about. Every moment like this one, every second reminding me I wasn-

“Sakura? Sakura!”

I snapped out of my thoughts, and inwardly winced at the worry I'd brought back to his features. The dark feelings from before bubbled at the surface, silent whispers surpassing my ears and going straight for my heart. I clutched the open door, as if trying to steady myself.

I opened my mouth to apologize, but before I could, he stepped into my space. I flush at his closeness, then blink when his right hand presses against my forehead. He concentrates on me, and a warm, dreadful feeling fills my body.

“Maybe you should sit this one out, we can-”

“No!”

He blinked, I flush again.

“It's fine, I'm fine Senpai, I was just…..lost in thought is all.” I look away from him, his gaze an amber colored concoction of confusion and worry. Thankfully he decides to drop it, letting out a sigh.

“If you say so.”

Those were his words, but his expression was completely different. His face had twisted into a frown, and I couldn’t help but wilt a bit. I couldn't think of anything to say to convince him I was alright, and I didn’t want to risk the chance of my words upsetting him even more.

The rest of the time we spent cooking in an awkward silence, though he’d shoot me a worried glance every one and a while.

-Scene-

By the time we finished cooking, the tense air from before had finally passed and I decide to make an attempt at small talk.

“Is your injury better, Senpai?”

He looks up from the plate he was serving, judging by the rather sizable portion, Fujimura-sensei’s, before replying.

“It seems like it, all thanks to you of course.”

I flush.
“I-I didn’t do much, Fujimura-sensei helped more than I did.”

He rolls his eyes in exasperation.

“She was the one who caused it in the first place, she gets no credit for fixing a problem she caused.”

“Now now Senpai, Fujimura-sensei already apologized, you shouldn’t be too mean to her.”

We go back and forth like that for a bit, over little things, nonsensical matters that hold no meaning. The Archery Club, more specifically Mitsuzuri-senpai’s determenation on getting him to return, Ryuudou-senpai’s request, Nii-san’s bragging habits, though I try my best to defend him.

An opening door ends our meaningless, yet meaningful conversation.

“Ohayo, Shirou, Sakura-chan!”

The tiger-themed teacher’s greeting echoes throughout the almost empty home. A welcome sound that makes me happy, almost as happy as Senpai's greetings.

“Good Morning, Onii-chan.”

In comparison, the voice of the Holy Grail fills me with nothing but dread.

Chapter Text

PoV: Fujimura Miyu

It was like staring into an abyss, an endless hole with no escape. The fierce creature was a black hole, its hunger neverending. Like a vacuum, it sucked up everything in its path with utter ease, leaving a void of nothingness behind in its wake.

A true monstrosity, a destroyer and herald of Death meant to bring about the End of the World.

“MMMMMMM, thish fewd ish shooo good, Shirou!”

And that destroyer was my own sister, Fujimura Taiga.

I watch as the heat of embarrassment fills Matou-san’s cheeks as Onii-chan informs her that this work was Sakura’s achievement, not his own.

“Really? You've gotten really good Sakura-chan!”

“I-It was a combined effort, Fujimura-sensei, Senpai helped too.”

Onii-chan waves off that assertion.

“No need to sell yourself short, you're almost as good as me now.”

She blushes again.

I watch on silently by Onii-chan’s side as the three go back and forth on the subject. Matou-san downplaying her culinary skills, while Onee-san and Onii-chan shower her in praise.

“You're being far too unfair to yourself, you've grown a lot Sakura, I'm very proud of you.”

That particular comment from Onii-chan leaves her wobbling and for a second I'm sure she'll pass out. Thankfully that doesn't happen and she finds her balance pretty quickly.

It was nice.

This mundane setting, this natural feel, so far away from the Moonlit World and magi, well aside from Matou-san, but while I didn't like her much, I knew she had no interest in my abilities.

And most importantly…

“Miyu, how's Okumura-san doing?”

Onii-chan's question draws the other two’s attention,
Onee-san’s in particular.

She opens her mouth excitedly, just as Onii-chan moves to collect the now empty plates.

“Ah that's right!” A balled fist slams into an open palm.

“She was one of the kids the police found in that burned down, abandoned mansion right?”

I’m slightly surprised that Onee-san even knew that.

“Yes, her and the others from Class 3 seem to be doing fine.”

Onii-chan's eyes depict worry, but at the same time relief. He ponders something for a bit, before speaking up again.

“Maybe I'll visit them in the hospital when I go see Tachie, I could bring them something as well.”

The mention of that girl's name ruins the good feelings I'd felt before. A deep discomfort fills my stomach and I lose whatever desire I had to ask for seconds.

Across from me, Matou-san seems to agree with my unspoken feelings and we both shoot the only male in the house worried glances, though given he's already in the kitchen, his back is turned to us.

“Nakamura-san’s still in the hospital? I thought she was set to be released soon?” My question brings a look of confusion to his eyes, just as he turns around.

“I'm not sure where you got that from, Tachie isn't set to be released until next week.” He explains calmly, as if that horrible woman being released onto Fuyuki isn't a bad thing.

“A-ano, Senpai, I wasn't aware you still spent so much time at the hospital.”

He blinks.

Before palming his hand to his face, sink water dripping down his features and startling the silent tiger and the two of us.

“I’d totally forgotten to tell you guys”, he gives us a slightly apologetic look,“Tachie told me about
a job opening at the hospital as a nurse a while back, so I'll be balancing that and my job at Neko-san’s bar.”

The information leaves us temporarily stunned, all of us except Onee-san at least.

Seeing the lack of good reception at his words, he frowns.

“I know you guys don't like her much”, an understatement but that wasn't the worst thing he's said so far, “But this way I'll get to keep an eye on her and help people out at the same time.”

Matou-san looks like she wants to say something, but seems to decide not to.

‘Should I say something about that though?’
I ponder to myself, the discomfort from before having increased tenfold.

On one hand, I didn’t approve of Nakamura-san in the slightest, her very presence so tainted I feel light-headed whenever she’s around.

‘But’, I frown, ‘Nakamura-san is Onii-chan’s friend.’
'Is it right for me to tell him to stay away from her, knowing how close they are?' A hand finds its way on the top of my head.

“Well if I leave it to you all to figure this out, we’ll be late again.” Onee-san’s carefree voice breaks through the tense silence.

“Sooooooo”, she strikes a pose, hands on her hips with her chest puffed out and a proud expression on her face, “I’ll have to step up and fix this problem for you all, see how mature I am?”

Onii-chan rolls his eyes,

“If you have to ask that then you’re probably not all that mature to begin with.”

“Wha?! How rude! This is how you treat the person that raised you?!”

“I must have hit my head or something, who raised who again, you bothersome tiger.”
A roar.

“Waaaaah, don’t call me a tiger!”

She pounces.

“See what I-argh-mean?!”

“This is what you get for being so mean to me!”

The two go back and forth for a while, rolling on the floor like animals.

The tense mood from before had completely evaporated, unsurprising, this was Nee-san’s specialty after all.

I glance at Matou-san, and can immediately tell she felt the same as I did.

‘Even if the tension is gone, the truth still remains.’

Nakamura Tachie is dangerous.

-Scene-

“Sheesh, that childish woman is gonna make us late again.” Onii-chan complains slightly.

“It's your own fault for calling her Tiger, Senpai.”

I nod.

“She’s right, Onii-chan, you should know better than to have aggravated her like that.”

He blanks, admonished, but doesn’t say anything, only letting out a sigh.

We cross the intersection and come into view of Homurahara Academy. I’m reminded at this moment of the unfairness of our ages.

Matou-san inches closer to Onii-chan, their classes on the other side of the building from mine.

As we reach the gates, a familiar purple visage is waiting at the gate for us.

Matou-san shivers a bit, distress evident in her features. Onii-chan moving in front of her, the sight seems to piss off Matou Shinji something fierce.

“Sakura,” he yells, seemingly already in a bad mood, “what the hell are you doing getting here so late huh? You think you get to skip out on Archery practice, so you can go off and ah!?-”

His angry rant is cut off by someone tugging on his ear.

“You really shouldn’t be yelling so loudly in the morning Matou-kun”, an elegantly fake voice reprimands him.

Aquamarine eyes, glance at Matou-san and I, before settling on Onii-chan.

The perfect, school idol’s lips stretch into a confident smile.

“Good Morning, Matou-san, Fujimura-san, Emiya-kun, Ayako was looking for you two.”

My second least favorite person in Fuyuki,
the exceptional heiress of the Tohsaka family, makes her entrance.

Chapter Text

PoV: Tohsaka Rin

“Ano, looking for Senpai and I, Tohsaka-senpai?” She questions me, but her eyes are on the loud seaweed boy spewing curses and pained groans. I tune him out.

‘Seriously, at least have some self-control. Fujimura-san is a child, ya know.’

Sak-Matou-san’s confusion clears the air and I release Matou-kun’s ear. He jerks away from me, stumbling into something resembling a hunch. He glares at me to no effect, someone like him had no hopes of intimidating me in the slightest, furthermore, what kind of failure of a magus would I need to be to be frightened by Matou Shinji?

Seeing as his harsh gaze had no effect on me, he turned it back onto it’s a initial target, causing the plum haired girl standing behind Emiya-kun to flinch.

“Yo-,” he began, though was quickly cut off,

“Sakura was just helping me out with breakfast and we loss track of time, it’s my fault she missed Archery practice, so if you want someone to be mad at, I’ll take the blame Shinji.”

Fujimura-san nods at his side, as if affirming that the redhead was telling the truth.

‘Though, knowing Emiya-kun, it’d be bizarre for him to lie like that. More importantly…’

My inquisitive gaze turns to the quiet watcher behind Emiya’s back. Purple eyes meet aquamarine, and I’m forced to crush the desire to ask if she’s alright.

It’s not like I didn’t trust Emiya-kun, but rather….
‘No,’ I shake my head, ‘that isn’t important anymore.’

“Emiya, you bastard,” Matou begins, “you think I’ll let this slide just because?” He spits vitriol, every word tinged with loathing.

“It’s Sakura’s responsibility to be here on time, I don’t get in the-”

The bell chimes in the background, signifying us all as late.

We all jump at the sound, not have expecting this “conversation” to last this long.

Surprisingly, Matou, seaweed not plum, recovers first.

He shoots Emiya a baleful glare, though the unofficial Brownie doesn’t shy away.

Matou gives me my own rotten look, though decidedly saying nothing as he storms off, presumably to class.

I sigh.

‘I came out here to achieve one objective, one! And ended up late for class, honestly…’

Emiya seems to share my sentiments too, wincing as he turns to the young girl at his side, who’d deemed it best to stay silent so far it seems. He shoots her an apologetic look, regret blooming in his amber eyes.

She smiles slightly, as if already forgiving him for something outside of his control. I fight to squash the feeling of envy in my heart at the wholesome display, I blink in confusion however, when she shoots me an odd look as she passes by.

She heads in the opposite direction of Matou, the junior high courses on the opposite side of the building.

This leaves me alone with Sakura and Emiya-kun.

-Scene-

“I can tell Ayako myself if you want?”

“N-no, it’s fine Tohsaka-senpai, Nii-san was…harsh about it, but he was right. I need to keep up with my responsibilities.”

I nod in acceptance.

“If you say so, but don’t let Matou-kun push you around, all right?” I give her a stern look, a part of me, the magus, telling me I had no reason to go this far for someone who was now a stranger. I do my best to keep my conflicted expression from showing on my face.

She nods shyly, accepting my words without arguing.

Behind us, Emiya-kun stays silent, I glance back, catching a glimpse of his confused face.
He opens his mouth to say something, before abruptly stopping, apparently deciding against it.

My right eyebrow shoots up in confusi-

“Ah, this is my class.”

I blink.

“Erm, it seems we’ve arrived.” I try to play off my blunder, so focused on Emiya I hadn’t noticed we’d reached Sakura’s class.

“I guess I’ll see you later Sakura.” Emiya’s silence ends, drawing Sakura’s attention to him.

Her lips twitch upwards ever so slightly, “I’ll see you later Senpai.” She heads into the classroom, stealing a glance at me, a clouded expression in her purple orbs, before entering the classroom.

“Do you two know each other?”

His question catches me off guard.

“N-not really, I sometimes see her at Archery when I’m with Ayako, but other than that we don’t talk.”

His amber eyes stare at me for a while longer, an unreadable expression marring them, and for a second I’m worried he’ll call me out on my lie.

“I see.” Is his only reply.

The air between us becomes awkward, as our march to our first class begins.

“More importantly, did you forget Ayako was looking for you?”

He blinks, head tilting in confusion. A pensive look fills his amber eyes, and he takes a moment to process my question, likely trying to deduce the reason Ayako could possibly be looking for him of all people.

His look of realization quickly becomes exasperation.

He sighs.

“This isn’t about rejoining the Archery club is it?”

A fair question all things considered. Ayako had been on his case about that recently, a little suspicion at her motivation was warranted.

However….

“You’ll have to ask her that yourself.” I reply smoothly. Surprisingly enough, she hadn’t told even me why she’d been looking for Emiya-kun. I’d also assumed it’d been about rejoining Archery, but when I questioned her about that an embarrassed expression had painted her features, cheeks flushing red slightly.

Naturally I was surprised at this reaction, and spent no small amount of time teasing her about it, but in the end I still never found out why exactly she’d been looking for him.

“There are things even I don’t know, ya know.” I smile in an amused manner, shooting him a sly look.

“That’s pretty surprising," he comments, sounding completely honest, “I was pretty sure someone like you was sure of everything.”

I blink, once again caught off guard. Normally something like that wouldn’t mean much to me, but from him, and so earnestly too…

I fight the warmth from showing on my face.

“W-well, I’m pretty sure of most things,” I shove as much pride in my voice as I can to hide my slip up, “though I think it's perfectly natural to not know everything.”

He nods.

“Of course, Tohsaka’s always been quite exceptional so I assumed you were the exception is all.”

I know, I’m perfectly sure, that the effect of his words are showing on my face.

‘There are some secrets I don’t know though,’ I think to myself, in hopes of clearing my head,

I steal a final glance at him right as we reach our classroom, his gaze now on the door.

‘Like why a completely mundane person has open circuits.’

Chapter Text

PoV: Tohsaka Rin

He was odd.

Odd enough to be considered an anomaly. A mundane with knowledge of the supernatural was one thing, but who’d ever heard of a mundane with both active circuits and a magic crest? It was the only thing I could think about, sitting through the end of Fujimura-sensei’s lecture.

I was positioned behind him, so discreetly sneaking glances his way during class was far from difficult.

‘Though’, I considered, ‘I suppose if someone caught me it’d look a little suspicious.’

I dismiss that thought however, as important as my image was, dealing with a potentially dangerous magus in my territory without my permission took priority.

‘Is what I would normally say at least…’

Truth is that I’d kept an eye on Emiya for years.
I’d sent numerous familiars, transferred myself into most of his classes, followed him home myself once, and even asked that damnable priest about any magi named Emiya.

Surprisingly there had been, a mercenary named Emiya Kiritsugu had apparently been quite infamous in the Moonlit World. Though he passed away 5ish years ago, before that, he’d been feared far and wide as the ‘Magus Killer’. At first I’d immediately dismissed any possible connection between the two, writing it off as a coincidental sharing of a last name. The redheaded ‘School Janitor’ was as far from the ruthless ‘Magus Killer’ as humanly possible, lacking in the coldness the man was famous for. But when I’d sensed a bounded field around his home, when I’d verified this information with Emiya (err his father’s name, not the magus bit), he’d freely confirmed his identity.

I let out a sigh.

‘And that’s what got me here, sneaking glances at some oblivious high school boy like a little girl with a crush.’

Despite my own personal doubts, Emiya was far too close to the Moonlit World to be completely mundane. If it was simply open circuits that’d be one thing, but open circuits, a magic crest, and a bounded field? Those last two actions were far too deliberate to be some kind of fluke.

‘Someone transferred him their crest, someone set up that bounded field, so possibly,’ I conclude, ‘that someone opened his circuits as well.’

As far as that went, the most likely culprit was Emiya Kiritsugu, he’d been his adopted father after all, and a known magus.

‘However, Emiya-kun wasn’t biologically related to that man, so that still wouldn’t explain the crest.’

Meaning that there was possibly another magus hiding away in Fuyuki somewhere, also without her express permission. And everyday my only existing lead, Emiya, looked to be more and more innocent.

‘He’s a magus…..even though he never sensed my familiars, even though he makes no attempt to avoid the Second Owner, and even though he obviously has no knowledge of magecraft.’

The groan I’ve been trying to stifle frees itself, my head falling into my hands in frustration.

‘It’s not like I want Emiya-kun and I to be enemies, but his presence in this mess complicates things quite a lot.’

Idly, I realize I’d been tuning out Fujimura-sensei this whole time, so deeply focused on the chance of a possible mystery magus running amok in my city.

‘And at a time like this too….’

With the Holy Grail War right around the corner, I couldn’t take any chances on potential enemies. It’d been another reason I’d been so closely watching Emiya, to confirm whether or not he’d be chosen as a Master.

‘Speaking of potential Masters-’

~Riiiiiiiing~

The brown-haired teacher turns her gaze to the bell, surprise evident on her features.

“Ah, did we get to the end that fast? Oh well, you all have your homework right? Make sure to study for the test on Friday, alright?”

“Yes, Fujimura-sensei.”

The tiger themed teacher nods, hands on her hips, eyes closed in content. Her mouth spreads into a content smile, and her head angles upwards.

“Good, good.”

Somehow, what looks like steam comes out her nose, though her smile doesn’t fade.

“Make sure to arrive on time for class tomorrow, especially when you go out of your way to bully someone who’s only ever been kind to you.”
The first statement was obviously meant for Emiya, Matou, and I, though the last one was only meant for the Brownie.

The person in question seemed to do little more than roll his eyes, I think he did at least, being seated behind him and all.

As soon as Fujimura-sensei steps out of the classroom it erupts into chatter. Girls and boys alike gossip about mundane concerns, nothing that has too much meaning.

At least that should be the case.

“Did you hear? We’re getting a transfer student from overseas soon.”

A whisper.

“A transfer? Is it a boy or a girl?”

A rumor.

“I heard it’s a girl, but my source is kinda shaky.”

A truth.

“I hope she’s hot, you know those overseas girls are hot as hell.”

An annoyance.

I stop my hand from instinctively moving to massage my brow, the only sign of frustration I let slip through.

‘Seriously, do these guys think about anything else, and how’d they even find out anyway?’

My own thoughts on the matter are the complete opposite. More than anything, I wanted that shameless Hyena to get lost. I could feel my face twitching in aggravation at the very thought of her.

“A foreigner huh, wonder why she’s coming to a sleepy town like this.”

“Who cares? Long as she’s hot, I’ll be the reason she stays.”

I can’t suppress my eye roll at that one.

Deciding I’d had enough of teenage boys for one day, I turn my attention to the gir-

“A transfer student, hmmm.” One uptight student council president thinks to himself. “I hope she’s the studious sort.”

Ryuudou Issei turns to his closest companion, conveniently seated diagonal to him,

“What do you think, Emiya?”

I pause, deciding to pay a bit more attention to this part.

‘Emiya-kun’s taste in girls huh….’

Despite that not being the question, my mind can’t help thinking about it.

Caught off guard, he blinks confusedly.

“‘What do I think?’”, where’d this come from all of a sudden?”

The monk in training crosses his arms.

“Nowhere really, just curiosity is all.”

I pay more attention to his answer than I care to admit.

“Well-,” he starts.

Just as he does so however, the doors swing open, revealing the intimidating features of our newest teacher. A teacher whose class should be after our next one.

Kuzuki Soichiro’s dark eyes scan the classroom, black gaze landing on me. Or rather, the person seated right in front of me.

“Emiya,” he speaks in a flat tone, “when school is over, come to the Temple.”

He turns to exit the room, speaking all the while.

At this point the class is completely silent.

“Megissa-san was looking for you.”

Chapter Text

PoV: ???

The world seemed bleak, bleaker than usual, as I dragged myself through the cold, moonlit forest.

Each passing moment I could feel myself fading as I clung to existence, hoping, praying that for once, I could be saved. Unlike switching to spirit form, where the feeling could be described as gently stepping into still, peaceful waters, the feeling of fading was akin to drowning. Even for someone who wielded unspeakable, awesome arcane power, it was incredibly haunting.

I’d been summoned here, to a land I was unfamiliar with, for a treasure I knew little about. An omnipotent wish granter, the Holy Grail, at least that’s what it was presented as.

I didn’t believe it. I could feel the power it held flowing through the land, and my existence here proved it was no mere Mystic Code. But omnipotent? I doubted it.

These thoughts, my thoughts were my only companion, the only thing left for me as I fought to stay in this world.

The muck of the soil, mixed with the bitterness of my thoughts lead to nothing but more indignation. Suddenly, as if the Gods themselves were making fun of me, it began to rain, droplets mixing with the dirt I pulled my frail body through.

I’d killed him.

The man that had brought me back into this world. The man that had given me a second chance at both life and happiness. The man that had reunited me with one of my dearest treasures.

And I’d rid myself of him as fast as I could.

He was rotten, my former Master. Despite the opportunity he’d technically given me, it wasn’t out of the goodness of his heart, if he even had any. The man was scum, even more so than the average magus.

‘Experimenting on children, enslaving women with Magecraft,

I grit my teeth in disgust,

‘Treating me like one of his slaves.’

I suppose in killing him and freeing those children, I lived up to the moniker of “Heroic Spirit”, even if an existence like my own was as far from the word heroic as one could be.

‘In that manner, I suppose I’m not much better’, I concede as I fight to keep my eyes open.

Repulsive as that man was, I needed him to sustain my pseudo-resurrection. As a Servant, I needed a Master to anchor my existence too, a decent supply of mana wouldn’t do without something to tie me down. Which was why I never stopped moving towards the temple located on top of this foreign land, Fuyuki’s, Leylines.

Just as I reach the edge of the forest, the animals having avoided me due to my odd presence, I begin to fade completely.

‘N-no, I-I’m so close!’

My body feels like it's almost completely submerged, and my skin takes on a translucent quality.

I grit my teeth, clenching the Coin in my hand with all my remaining strength.

‘I-I can’t die, not like this, not after I’ve found you!’

The Coin, as if- no, responding to my helplessness, sends a warm feeling into my body, as if trying to tell me it was okay.

His attempt at hiding his sorrowful tone only filled me with more bitterness.

I choke back a sob, cursing Fate for its unfairness, resentment overruling every hopeful emotion in my body. I feel the Coin slip through my hand, the hand holding him having flickered in and out of existence.

My body, what remains of it at least, gives up, collapsing on the wet, hard ground. My hood protects my head from the rain, but the rest of my body is soaked. I ignore it to search for him, hands roaming around in the mud. As if calling out to me, I catch a glimpse of his form not far from where I dropped him. A golden Coin shining beautifully, even in all this muck. But for once he doesn’t have my attention. No, that honor goes to the shoes right beside him.

My gaze pans up, and I lock eyes with the man I hadn’t sensed coming.

-Scene-

“I suppose it took you long enough, boy.”

He smiles weakly, a hand raising to rub the back of his head.

“Sorry, Kuzuki-sensei announcement led to a lot of people trying to get answers out of me.”

I nod, turning to the black-haired teacher beside him. The man in question does little more than nod, affirming the boy’s words as true.

‘As if I doubted him to begin with.’

I smirk,

“Well now that you're both here, I suppose we can move along with this.”

Their nods are the only answer I need. I turn to exit the room, the two following behind me in silence. The spacious hallways of the temple break into the entrance, as we leave my husband and I’s room behind. On the way to our location, we encounter multiple monks, greeting and chatting with them as we passed by.

It was one of the reasons I’d chosen to stay in the Temple, aside from the monks, it lacked in inhabitants meaning that not many people would stumble across things they shouldn’t. Regardless, I’d set a bounded field around the temple anyway.

We march on in the evening sun, the warmth of it’s rays being the only thing I could feel from it. Before long, we reach our destination. As if on purpose, the path to our-no, my goal lied on the opposite part of the temple from my and Kuzuki’s room. The grand temple, that even I struggled to overcome. Normally I didn’t want to have my Master around while I employed the boy’s services, but just this once I made an exception.

Today was special after all.

Which was why I’d summoned the boy to me, as in this area he was a master, absolutely second to none. We stop right in front of the door, the gates to a trial greater than Heracles’s doing nothing to dissuade me. I’d already come so far, so now I couldn’t turn back. Seemingly encouraging me, the Coin altered into a necklace jewel begins to let out warmth, as if believing in me.

I nod my head, turning to the Master who would teach me, and to the person I wanted to impress the most. The redhead nods at me, mirroring the Coin’s encouragement. My master makes no expression, but I know in my heart he believes in me. I gather my courage and step forward. The gilded halls of wife hood will finally accept me once I overcome this final trial.

Steeling myself, I step into the kitchen.

Chapter Text

PoV: Caster

Time froze. The World came to a halt. No one said a thing, not even the master and his student. Nothing was allowed to move within these precious few seconds, within this echo of frozen eternity.

None accept one.

The judge for whom I’d prepared this meal for. The one who I’d bled, sweated and cried for. The person whom I’d given my heart to completely, who I was trying so hard to be the perfect wife for.

The only person allowed to even breathe in this lifeless void, Kuzuki Souichirou.

As if sensing my thoughts, Souichirou grabs his spoon and takes a scoop of the dish. I watch, agonizingly slowly, as he lifts the spoon to his mouth.
Simple and delectable omurice has never looked so intimidating before I decide.

To my right, the boy, the master who had shown me such a high level mastery of the culinary arts, who had forged my own culinary talents into something that hopefully constituted as passable, watched on impassively, his face as serious as mine, but with none of the tension.

He was relaxed despite his hard expression, and his eyes, that were usually expressive, were unreadable even to me.

I ponder, wondering what exactly had drawn such a reaction from him, before the Jeweled Coin sends a searing heat into my chest.

I wince, feeling scolded at his admonishment. I’d tried distracting myself from Souichirou’s reac-

“It’s good.”

My heart stops. I don’t even realize I don’t have one.

I blink,

“...Eh?”

The plate before him, that had previously been occupied by my latest creation, was completely empty. Not a single grain of rice remained, the plate almost as clean as it was before I’d started cooking. Somehow, likely when I’d been distracted, he’d silently devoured the whole thing.

It takes my mind a whole minute to come to terms with this. All the time and effort I’d put into this had paid off. Seemingly, without even realizing it, I’d stepped past the gates of marriage and entered the league of housewives throughout the world. Once my mind reaches this conclusion, this divine ordained truth;

‘I am now Medea Kuzuki.’

I ascend past a mere Servant,

‘I am now Medea Kuzuki.’
I go beyond even a Heroic Spirit,

‘I am now Medea Kuzuki’

Throughout heaven and earth, I alo-

“I am now Medea Kuzuki,”

My joy can not be withheld and I accidentally say my thoughts out loud for all to hear. My voice, filled with elation and happiness, reach the ears of the only other people in the room.

Shirou and Souichirou’s oddly identical looks of confusion are enough to bring me down to Earth.

-Scene-

“Mah, you’re in quite the rush, boy.”

He grunts.

“Am I? I guess I hadn’t noticed,” he continues speaking as he turns off the facet, the dishes from before having been washed, “I’ve got somewhere to be this afternoon, a job I accepted not too long ago.”

I quirk my eyebrow at that, my mouth bending into a slight frown.

“You already work at that tasteless shop no? What reason could you have to find more work?”

He raises a brow at me,

“Rude comments aside, I’m surprised you cared to remember that. A…..friend of mine recommended the job to me and I happened to already have some experience in the field.”

I nod my head in understanding, the boy was something of a workaholic(Is that what the term is?) so it didn’t surprise me he’d gone and found some other job as well.

“You know, It’d do no good if the person who saved me ran himself so ragged,” my smirk only widens at his cautious look, “It’d be quite embarrassing in fact, so don’t go collapsing anywhere anyone can see you, boy.”

His face twists in indignation, a pout breaking through his normally straight face.
He opens his mouth to speak, but suddenly stops. I raise my brow at his contemplating features. But before I can tell him not to hurt himself think-

“You know if you’re worried about me, you should just say that.”

I blink. I blink again. Thrice now.

Heat flies into my face and suddenly I’m overcome with annoyance at his stupid face. I can feel a dangerous, practiced, threatening smile slip onto my lips.

“Don’t kid yourself. The only person in this backwater town I’d ever worry for is my dear Souichirou. No one else, and especially not you. Do you understand?”

I refrain from calling him boy to ensure my displeasure has reached through his thick head.

“I get it, I get it, sorry!”

He winces, hands raised in front of himself defensively, and I can already see him glancing at the door.

I huff, feeling thoroughly humiliated at this oaf’s words. I glare at him slightly,

“If you know what’s good for you you’ll refrain from making such a stupid mistake again.”

“Urk! Geez, I’m sorry. Won’t make that mistake again.”

“You’d better not, boy.”

Having regained his footing, he lets out a tired sigh.

“Just like that all the energy I had for tonight is gone, you’re a little too intense Megissa-san.”

“If you were smarter you wouldn’t have exerted yourself so much in the first place, and it’s the only way I can get through that hard head of yours.”

We continue like that for a bit, as we finish our cleaning. The dishes are dried and put away, and the counters are quickly cleaned off. Before long we’re standing at the gate of the temple, the setting sun bathing us in its light.
“Is Kuzuki-sensei not done with those papers? I didn’t think there were that many.”

“You don’t seem very adept at that to begin with, nevertheless, yes he’s still working on such matters.”

He gives me a flat stare, but holds his tongue.

‘I suppose he is capable of learning.’

“That aside”, I point to the wrapped bento in his left hand, “I don’t suppose that’s for that bothersome guardian of yours?”

He glances down at it, raising it slightly.

“Oh this? It’s not actually,” he turns his head slightly, gesturing at the hospital I can vaguely make out from here, “do you remember the friend I told you about before?”

I roll my eyes.

“I’m not so forgetful I’d fail to recall a conversation from a few hours ago, boy.”

He takes it in stride,

“Well it’s for her,” my eyebrow raises at the pronoun, “And before you say anything,” Ah it seems he’d caught that, “She’s just a friend of mine, I always bring her something I make since she hates the taste of hospital food.”

It’s not difficult to pick up what he’s putting down(These modern phrases would take some time to get accustomed to.)

“I see, well I can’t say it's unlike you to aid those in need regardless of their affiliation.”

He frowns slightly, looking away from me,

“It’s not like that, she’s been one of my closest friends for as long as I can remember. So something like this is nothing at all.”

I hum,

“Do you think you could be doing more, boy?”

Judging by his wince I guessed correctly,

“Honestly,” I sigh, “for me to have this level of an understanding of you after so little time.”

I hold back a smile at his indignant squawk.

“I can’t say I know her situation well, or at all for that manner. However, if it’s as bad as I’m guessing it is, then there’s nothing you can do about it, boy.”

‘There’, I think to myself, ‘I’ve repaid my debt for the lessons.’

I glance at him, catching his conflicted expression.

“It’s clear I won’t get through to you today, so rest on it.”
My words snap him out of his reverie,

“Huh-oh yeah, it’s getting late, at this rate I’ll get in trouble.”

I nod and he turns around, heading down the temple steps. Just as he reaches the third step, I call out to him.

“Shirou,” he stops immediately, likely taken aback by my use of his name, “if you plan on listening to anything I say, let it be this.”

His whole body turns to face mine, and I can tell I have his full attention.

My voice conveys nothing but seriousness,

“At risk of going against my word from before, I’ll tell you this once and once only.”
My blue eyes stare directly into his amber orbs.

“These next coming days, these streets will become dangerous”, his eyes widen at that, that doesn’t deter my warning, “be extremely careful traversing the city, especially at night, boy.”

He blinks at me, at a loss for words seemingly. The last sight I want to see returns in his conflicted expression from before reappearing. Ultimately though, he doesn’t argue, merely nodding his head in thanks before continuing down the steps.

I watch, tension filling every part of my body, as his red hair disappears from sight.

Chapter Text

PoV: Emiya Shirou

My throat clogged, and my chest tightened. Fear of the unknown, of the meaning behind Megissa-san's ominous warning, settling in my body. The previous calm had been washed away by paranoia and tension, I did my best to force calmness onto my face.

"In the next coming days, these streets will become dangerous."

It'd been over 20 minutes since I'd left Ryuudou Temple, and yet her words still clung to my mind.

'The streets will become dangerous? What does that even mean?'

Her words don't make any sense to me, no matter how hard I tried, my mind couldn't grasp them. But even more than her words, the thing that had scared me the most…

'Yeah, it wasn't her words that were so haunting, but rather,' my mind flashes back to her solemn features, 'her expression. Megissa-san has never shown such an expression before.'

She had been completely serious, but it was different from a Kyudojin going through the steps of Kyudo. No, it was more akin to the face one made in the face of something truly dangerous, something that haunted even them.

Her fear soaked expression persists in my mind even after I cross the bridge into Shinto, and follows my every step as I move through the crowd. Unlike Miyama, Shinto is where most of the shops and workplaces are,

'A place like this, it's a given it'll be crowded.'

So it comes to no surprise when I'm caught in the rush of civilians heading home. It's harder than usual though, I notice, and it isn't because of the amount of people. I frown. No, it's because my mind is still focused on that ominous warning, that my legs feel like led. My movements are more sluggish than normal, and I've been bumped into far more than usual as well.

'The streets will be dangerous, does that mean all these people will be put in harm's way?' I shudder at the thought, glancing around at the ignorant people around me. Megissa's warning wasn't like anything I'd ever heard before, for someone who lived their entire life doing nothing but helping others and following their ideal, hearing that innocent people could be harmed in some mysterious upcoming event was-

I barely catch a glimpse of her before we collide.

"Urgh!"

We fall, almost knocking into other people around us. Though fortunately, no one else joins us on the ground, opting to glare in annoyance and move around us.

I wince, having landed awkwardly on my right hand. I glance around where I'd fallen, sighing in relief at the sight of Tachie's bento remaining in one piece. I quickly stand up and collect it, along with my school bag, before turning my gaze to the girl I'd bumped into. I'm immediately taken in by her odd appearance. Despite the weather only being a little chilly, she's clothed in foreign purple winter attire; a white scarf, a fancy looking purple hat, and a purple dress-coat combination. But what my eyes are drawn to are her features; pale white skin, hair somehow a shade paler, and gleaming ruby red eyes staring up at me in shock. She doesn't look any older than twelve, but her foreign appearance is still striking to me.

I blink, realizing whe'd been staring at each other for a good minute now and I still hadn't offered her a hand. I blush in embarrassment, before doing just that, extending a hand with an apology attached. "Sorry," I apologize mid-act, "I wasn't paying attention to who was in front of me." It takes her getting up to her feet to realize it's her I'm speaking to. Her eyes quickly switch from shocked to smug, as if her earlier expression had been a blunder on her part. She leans forward, hands clasped behind her back, and smiles.

No. She grins,

"Neh, you really should pay attention to what's in front of you, I could've gotten seriously hurt, Onii-chan."

The combination of her flawless Japanese and the honorific take me aback. Ignoring the fact that neither of us had been paying attention to our surroundings, I acknowledge that, given her size, she indeed could have gotten hurt from that fall.

I frown, noting her flinch when I move in closer to look her over. Having learned a bit from my time at the hospital, I check her small frame for wounds. She goes ramrod still at my closeness, likely having not expected this turn of events. I do the best impromptu checkup I can, but am impeded by her heavy clothing.

'Though in this case,' I think to myself, 'It also helped cushion her fall.'

Having finished my look over, I back away, exiting her personal space. The only thing I'd found on her had been a little dirt, and I quickly dust that off. It seems though, that my touch snapped her out of the frozen state she was in. The girl's face flares red briefly, and she reels away from me.

"D-don't you know it's wrong to treat a lady's personal space like that? Onii-chan, you-"

I weather the storm of insults she hurls my way(seriously what kinda twelve year old knows all these things), taking the opportunity to glance at the clock standing tall on a sidewalk.

My heart almost stops when I see the time.

I whip back to the rambling child in front of me, quickly bowing my head in apology.

"I'm sorry for invading your privacy ma'am, but I'm something of a nurse," I reach into my bag and pull out my wallet, flashing her my ID, "I apologize if I came off as rude or inappropriate, I was simply trying to help someone in need." My quick rant catches her off guard and a flabbergasted expression paints her features. Unfortunately, I don't get the time to appreciate such a thing.

"If my apology isn't enough to make it up to you, then I can meet you at Fuyuki Hospital or Copenhagen at a later date. As of right now however, I'm about to be late so I'll have to take my leave, my shift is about to start."

I bow to her once again, her expression having stayed the same the whole time, before moving past her and back into the crowd.

I'm about to break through the sea of people when I hear her voice,

"Wait!"

Somehow, without moving closer at all, her voice reaches me.

"When does your shift end?!"

I glance back at her, having already put a fair amount of distance between the two of us,

"Two hours from now!"

The last thing I see before turning back around is her head whirling in the direction of the clock.

-Scene-

"You know Emiya-kun, I can't exactly defend you if you show up this late."

I wince at his bemused expression,

"Sorry," I find myself apologizing for the fourth time tonight, "It won't ever happen again, Maruki-senpai."

He nods at that, glasses lighting up in amusement,

"I certainly believe you, you're not normally this…," He looks me over before wincing himself, "disorganized?"

His unspoken question isn't lost on me and I feel another sigh coming up.

"Just some bad luck and personal issues, I promise there won't be a repeat."

He simply smiles at my answer, accepting it without problem. He glances down at a checkboard in his hands,

"Well it's just the usual today, the Mackenzies came in for a checkup but other than that it's mostly cleaning."

I nod at his words, opting to stay silent for my lack of input.

"Ah, and Nakamura-san has been looking forward to today's visit," he glances at my clothing, "so I advise you get changed and start on your duties for tonight."

I nod, once again not responding, before making my way to the changing rooms.

It takes a little over a second for me to get ready and place all my belongings in a locker. I glance at Tachie's bento, contemplating bringing it with me, before opting to leave it here and just grab it when I head to her room. Almost as quickly as I came in, I exit the changing rooms and make my way to the waiting room to receive the Mackenzies.

As I pass through the hallways, I notice how quiet the hospital is compared to its normal state. There are far fewer nurses around, only running into Tsumiki-san on my way, and the doctors are missing too. While the hospital had always been short staffed, today it felt like over half that staff had disappeared somewhere. I almost chalk it up to an unfortunate coincidence that they're all gone at once, but another, darker thought crosses my mind.

"In the next coming days, these streets will become dangerous."

Those words persist in their haunting of my mind, and I shudder at the very thought of them.

'Could this…"danger" be responsible for all the missing staff?'

A cold sweat rolls down my back as I immediately squash the thought. I'd seen nothing on the news about disappearances, and no one at the hospital seemed to find it odd or strange in any way.

'That's right, I'm probably just being paranoid. I'm sure there's nothing going on.'

The strange girl from earlier had blown those thoughts away with her mere presence, but it had been temporary at best. The weight of that premonition hung over my neck like a blade waiting to fall.

Thoughts of the missing staff, Megissa's warning, and the foreign girl plague my mind as I begin Mrs.Mackenzies checkup.

-Scene-

"Thank you, Shirou-chan, you've been a real dear."

"It's no problem, I'm always happy to help."

They wave me goodbye before exiting the doors, and into the night. I put on my best smile, as I watch them exit. Not long after I'd gotten them situated, Maruki-senpai took over from there, and I went about my other duties. I'd finished in record time it seems, as they'd finished their checkup around the time I put the cleaning supplies away.

"They were very excited today, not sure why though." I don't need to turn around to recognize Maruki-senpai's voice.

"Maybe some good news came?" I made a mental note to ask Miyu about them, she was quite fond of the Mackenzies.

I assume he shrugs from the ruffling of his coat,

"Maybe." I turn to face him when he suddenly goes quiet, only to see the slightest hint of mischief on his features.

"I'm more surprised you haven't gone to see that girlfriend of yours yet."

I roll my eyes at the assertion, having heard that line numerous times already. All the staff liked to tease me about my closeness with Tachie, Maruki-senpai being no exception. I swipe a loli pop out his hands and ignore his yelp as I move past him. I've told them Tachie isn't my girlfriend before and it hasn't stopped anyone from saying whatever they want, so I've decided to quit wasting my time.

I hear his low chuckle as I make my way back to the changing room to retrieve Tachie's bento, popping the stolen loli pop in my mouth.

'Mango, huh? He must've restocked recently.'

I close the locker door shut, opting to stay in my scrubs and change after my time with Tachie. I'd be going home after that, but I didn't want to risk spreading any dirt on my clothes to the rest of the hospital. I tuck the bento under my arm, and make my way to her room. No one being around, I let my face fall into a frown. I never liked the location of her room in the hospital. It was the farthest room away from the door, and I always thought the room looked and felt a little isolated. That wasn't surprising though, as Tachie made no effort to get along with anyone that wasn't me, but it felt like everyone had given up on trying. As if they were content on leaving her alone there by herself. Frustration fills my heart, the moon's light illuminating the aggravated expression on my face.

Before long I'm knocking at her door, or rather I'm about to.

But before my fist even touches the door, I hear a muffled voice telling me to come in beyond the wooden frame. As if she somehow sensed me about to knock,

'That's ridiculous,' I think as I open the door, 'That's the kind of stuff that happens in TV shows and movies.' The lights of the room blind me for a second, before my eyes adjust to the brightness.

Inside, a familiar visage awaits me. That of a girl with onyx black hair, bright red eyes, and a patient's attire. She's already facing the door when I step in, closing it behind me. She greets me with a smile, eyes crinkling with joy.

"Took you long enough, eh, Shirou?"

Chapter Text

PoV: Emiya Shirou

Red eyes blink and she tilts her head,

“A foreigner in winter attire? At this time of year?”

I nod, scratching the back of my head,

“I thought it was pretty weird too, but didn’t give it much thought. Being almost late and all.” I add offhandedly.

She nods, chewing, before swallowing down the rest of her bento. She shoots me an inquisitive glance,

“Didn’t you say something about a foreigner transferring into your school? Maybe it's her?”

I give it some thought, I hadn’t put two together when we’d met, but thinking about it now…

“Nah, the girl the rumors were describing was supposed to be transferring into our grade. The girl I bumped into looked no older than 12.”

I dismiss it, the ages just didn’t match up.

She however, seemed to disagree, “Maybe she’s one of those people that just look really young. Ya know, like in anime.”

I deadpan at her answer, “Yeah, and that’s why it’s in anime and not real life.”

She pouts slightly, “You never know, it could be she’s just really small.”

I quirk an eyebrow, “Then explain the childlike features, Tachie.”

Her theory crafting ends there, unable to refute my point. She doesn’t give up though, finding different angles to connect the foreign girl to my soon-to-be schoolmate.

“Maybe it’s her sister?”

I shrug, crossing my arms and sitting back in the chair I’d pulled up,

“Could be, but there’s no way to prove she is or isn’t.”

She shakes her head, disagreeing,

“She wanted to meet up with you didn’t she? Why else would she ask for when your shift ends?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Soooooo, you could ask if she has any siblings!”

“I mean, I could, but we’re supposed to meet up under the context of me having wronged her accidentally. It’s not like we’re hanging out or something.”

She wilts at that, leaning her back into the frame of the hospital bed. She turns to me, red eyes scouring my neutral expression for something. Failing to find it, she scoots forward, before plopping back onto her bed. A sigh heaves out of her throat, disappointment lacing her voice, “Do you really believe it’ll stay that way, Shirou?”

My confused expression is apparently enough of an answer.

She wipes a nonexistent tear from her eye while rolling away from me, comically feigning sadness, “To think my dear childhood friend would grow into such a womanizer and not realize it.”

My face burns-

“Oi, who’s a womanizer you bothersome pig?”

She turns right back over,

“Pig?! I’m not a pig, you shameless flirt!”

“I’m not a shameless flirt, you greedy hog!”

She’s back to sitting up again,

“Yes you are! Have you seen the way the other nurses talk about you!? How Tsumiki-san looks at you?! “‘Oh Emiya-kun is so sweet, he’s great husband material, I wish I went home to a guy like him everyday.’” Emiya-kun this, Emiya-kun that! You’re like their favorite topic besides each other!”

The warmth that was in my face spreads to the rest of my body,

“I-”

“Doesn’t your kohai basically live with you now?”

“Sakura is my friend’s sister! I wouldn’t do something like that!”

Her eyes narrow and I can tell she’s entirely unconvinced,

“Uh-huh, and what about that Archery captain always chasing after you?”

“That’s just about getting me to rejoin the Archery club! Mitsuzuri and I don’t have that kind of relationship!”

She wags her finger in front of my face, “You still don’t have an answer for those nurses, huh?”

I sputter in embarrassment, “And how aren’t you a pig, huh? Always begging me day in and day out about bringing you a bento. You even forced poor Tsumiki-san to walk all the way to my house to ask about it!”

This time it’s her turn to be embarrassed,

“Wha- don’t you know it’s rude to call a girl a pig?! Plus I doubt she minded too much anyway, she got to go to your house!”

“And how does that justify you wolfing down all the food I bring you, huh? You’re almost as bad as Fuji-nee.”

“Er-”

“Gorging yourself on food all the time when you get so little exercise is terrible for your health.”

“Ack-”

She feigns being stabbed through the chest, before flipping back over onto her side and beginning to mutter,

“When did my dear friend become such a bully? I’m sorry Irisviel-san, I’ve failed you. I let such an innocent boy become a monster! Please, I beg, give me back the Shirou that was kindness incarnate!”

I don’t try and contain my eye roll, “Don’t start something if you can’t finish it, and don’t go namedropping people I don’t know either.”

Especially when they have such a foreign sounding name.

She glances back at me, “Irisviel-san was our babysitter, remember? She looked after us a lot, and even made us call her mom once. She’s kinda hard to forget, given she was almost as much of a kid as we were.”

I frown, once again failing to recall something that happened from my childhood.

“I don’t remember this, when was it again?”

“A real long while back, before the-”

She stops herself, quickly going silent. But it’s too late, my hands have already balled into fists, and any positivity I’d felt before had been replaced by tension. A horrifying scene replaces the one before me, an image I’d never forget for the rest of my life. I can’t keep my face neutral and can feel my teeth grinding in agitation. Before long I can almost feel the flames, heat rising through my body reminiscent of the Fire. My eyes see what isn’t here, and a burning hellscape engu-

It hurts It hurts It hurts It hurts

“Shirou? Shirou!”

My name is being called and I-

Give it back Give it back Give it back Give it back

Someone’s grabbing my hand, someone’s squeezing it with all their might. They have a surprising amount of strength for someone who’s spent so long in the hospital.

“Shirou!”

I blink away the flames and force the heat down. My vision clears and I’m back in the hospital, bright fluorescent lights and the smell of food mixed with cleaning chemicals calms me down. Tachie is sat up, an expression of worry painted across her features. Her left hand is holding my right, squeezing it to keep me here.

‘Here, in the hospital. Not anywhere else.’

“Shi-"

“I’m fine.”

I cut her off unintentionally, startling her if her flinch is anything to go by.

I grimace, “Sorry, I’m fine. Seriously.”

She purses her lips, thoroughly unconvinced, but doesn’t push it. Instead she continues holding my hand, though she’s stopped squeezing it. We stay like that for a bit, not saying anything to each other. The mood had shifted with the Fire’s mention, and I can’t help berating myself for drawing the attention to myself.

Tachie had lost just as much as I had in the Fire, and unlike me, she wasn’t saved by Kiritsugu. She’d lived almost her entire life, confined to these hospital walls. Not only had the Fire taken her home and family, it left her rather weak physically. In fact, she hadn’t shown any signs of recovery until recently. It was why I worked so hard, why I-

A vision of a full moon flashes through his mind, a man and a boy sitting side by side. A promise, more sacred than life itself, shared between them.

-took up his dying dream.

It meant more than anything, more than even my own life. I’d take on this burden, their burden, for both his and her sake. I wanted to be their beacon of hope, a light in their darkness. My one wish, that I’d bring about with my own two hands. My one desire left in this empty body. I squeeze her hand, drawing her attention to me. Red eyes meet bronze, and she smiles.-

‘The child’s words are foolish, he couldn’t possibly understand what it meant to follow in his footsteps. But a small part of him, a part of him he’d thought would never resurface, surged with hope. A hope that told him, that even when times were tough, this boy would stand strong and achieve that Utopia he dreamt of for so many nights. A hope that told him believing in this boy was the right decision, that he’d be able to achieve what he never could after years of fighting. Of killing. A smile stretched across his broken features. “I see. If it’s you then, I’m glad.” Entrusting his dream, his last wish, to the boy at his side, Emiya Kiritsugu passes away.’

-For the sake of their smiles, no, for the sake of everyone who had ever suffered. For everyone that would suffer. Emiya Shirou will become a Hero of Justice. Even if it kills me.

-Scene-

“…..…”

“........”

“...You do realize you perpetuate all those rumors about us by doing stuff like this.”

“Oh please, they’ve all gone home already, who’d be around to see us?”

I don't have a response to that, letting Tachie run her fingers through my hair. I was sitting on the bed facing away from her, while she was behind me on her knees. It was oddly soothing, and beneath her touch I felt all my tension fade away.

Well almost all of my tension.

“I get that you have to be close to do this,-

The devilishly soft sensation pressing onto the back of my head left me with quite a bit of tension.

-but do you have to be this close?!”

I hate how embarrassment laces my voice as I sputter out my complaints.

She only giggles in response, “Oh? Is the great Emiya Shirou weak to this kind of thing? Don’t tell me I, your dear childhood friend, have aroused some less than appropriate thoughts in that head of yours.”

I scowl, red in the face, “Don’t kid yourself, I just prefer my personal space is all.”

She only laughs at my weak response, and I hate how I enjoy the way I can feel her laughter reverberating through her body.

We fall back into silence afterwards, and other distractions aside, I allow my mind to drift from the comfort. Feeling my eyelids grow heavy, I allow my self to drift o-

“In the next coming days, these streets will become dangerous.”

I snap awake with a start, startling Tachie into falling backwards onto the bed. She’s up in a heartbeat though, shooting me a confused look. I don’t have the luxury to answer her unasked question, my mind having snapped awake with me. The dread that I’d manage to force down returned in full force. I stand up, shooting a glance at the clock. It was a quarter past midnight, my shift having ended hours ago. I-

“Are you leaving?”

-turn to look back at her. Her face was completely neutral, but having known her for so long, I could spot the hidden emotions swimming in her mask. I purse my lips, not wanting to disappoint her further.

“I was thinking about it, it’s getting pretty late, and I was told that the streets would be getting pretty dangerous soon.” I add that last part offhandedly, not giving it mu-

“Who told you that?”

I blink, taken aback by the seriousness in her voice. Had she heard the same as well?

“A friend of mine, I helped her out of a dangerous situation not too long ago. I guess she was just warning me about whatever it is that put her in that position.” I explain pretty easily.

She doesn’t say anything in response, turning to stare out the window with that hardened expression on her face. It almost looked like she was glaring at something.

‘Or rather, someone?’

“Tachie?”

She continues for a little longer before sighing, muttering something under her breath that I don’t quite catch.

“It’s nothing serious.”

She answers offhandedly, as if dismissing all her strange behavior from before. Her words do nothing to convince me though, like with Megissa before, I’d never seen such an expression on her face before.

“More importantly,” she turns to me, head moving so quickly I’d almost missed it, “It’s nothing for you to get involved in, Mr.Hero of Justice.”

I glare-

“That’s not for you to decide,” I bite back, “If people, innocent people, are getting hurt, I can’t just stand by and do nothing.”

She only frowns in response, meeting my determined gaze with a searching look.

Our staredown lasts a bit, the room filling with tension. But, just as it seems like it's about to explode, She sighs, closing her eyes,

“I can’t convince you not to do anything dangerous,” she starts, before opening them again to look me dead in my eyes, “But please, please Shirou, promise me you’ll be careful.”

There was fear in her eyes.

A fear I couldn’t ignore.

A fear I couldn’t rebuke.

I can only nod my head as a response, before collecting the empty bento box, and heading for the door. She doesn’t say anything, but I can feel her eyes trained on me as I pull it open.

“I’ll come see you as soon as I can.”

Somehow, I can feel her sorrowful nod even after I’ve closed the door.

-Scene-

I pass by the night staff on my way out, bidding Tsumiki-san a halfhearted goodbye. As if Megissa’s warning alone hadn’t spooked me enough, Tachie’s reaction only justified this intense dread. For even Tachie, who’d spent 10 years in that hospital, to know and be weary of whatever danger was quickly approaching…

I glance around me as I quickly make my way to the area right before the bridge, passing by the spot where I’d met that foreigner girl.

‘Come to think of it, I don’t think I got her name.’

The whole interaction in itself was odd, I don’t know what about her had caught my attention. Nor do I know why I accepted her calling me her older brother so quickly. As far as I know, that meeting was our first ever, she was a complete stranger to me.

‘And yet,’

Something about her had been familiar. More specifically, her physical features. I was certain I’d never met someone that looked like her before, but despite that, her red eyes, pale skin, and snow white hair struck a chord of nostalgia in me. I had no recollection of it, and I was certain I’d never met such a person before, but I couldn’t ignore the feeling of familiarity I felt whenever I thought of that girl.

“Everything else is wrong though,” I speak aloud to myself as I cross the bridge.

Her height, her voice, her personality. Everything that wasn’t her features struck me as wrong. Like pieces of a puzzle that just happened to fit in places they weren’t supposed to go. It was almost maddening, to be so sure that something was off, but not know what should be there. A part of me notes that it’s odd that this mystery girl has taken up all my thoughts. Most people wouldn’t give a stranger this much thought, familiar or not, and mulling over this won’t get me any answers.

‘Luckily, I do know what will,’

I’d be meeting her soon, hopefully, and while I would prefer for us to put our original meeting behind us, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to ask her a couple questions of my own.

‘And Tachie’s own, I suppose,’ her idea from earlier appearing in my head just as I reach the street to my home. I can see from here that the lights are off, meaning Sakura, Miyu and Fuji-nee had probably already gone home. I wince at the scolding I’d receive from them tomorrow, as staying out this late had both been an accident and out of character for me.

It’s just about two in the morning when I step inside. I take off my coat, before hanging it up and removing my shoes. While I’d called the foreigner girl’s attire odd, truth is, as it approached the end of the year it got pretty cold. Of course, full on winter gear like she wore was a little strange, it wasn’t that close to December after all.

Deciding I’d done enough thinking for the day (and that I’d take a longer shower in the morning) I head to my room, not dwelling on the emptiness of this large home. On my way there though I stop by the bathroom, just to fulfill my quick nightly routine. It’s when I’m brushing my teeth that I notice something though, and don’t think anything of it. I’d fallen on it earlier, so it was likely just a scrape.

‘It’s a shame I didn’t notice earlier when I was at the hospital, I could've dealt with it there.’ But I don’t waste time wishing I’d have noticed it earlier.

Instead, I just resign myself to bandaging the faint red smudge on the back of my right hand tomorrow morning.

Chapter Text

PoV: Tohsaka Rin

………….

………….

………….

…bri…….

…briii...…

.Briiii…….

Briiiiiing~

“...Hm..”

Something is ringing-

Briiiiiiiing~

-I turn over in my bed, trying to ignore it to the best of my abilities.

Briiiiiiiing~

Something is invading my sleep-

Briiiiiiiing~

-I sandwich my head between both sides of the pillow.

Briiiiiiiing~

Something is bothering me.

Briiiiiiing~

I contemplate skip-

Briiiiiiing~

“Ugh, fine!”

I sit up, throwing my blankets off of myself with a huff, and rub my eyes in exhaustion. Hair a mess, and clothed in my pajamas, I greet the world with an annoyed scowl on my lips. I stifle a yawn-

Briiiiiiing~

-not really wanting to wake up just yet. Ignoring the continued ringing, my irritated gaze scans my room, intent on silencing the restless machine that ripped me from my slumber, before landing on the silent alarm clock.

‘...Silent alarm clock…Huh?’

I blink owlishly, shaking my head.

‘..Silent alarm clock..’ I blink again, and this time I rub my eyes again.

‘Silent alarm clock’ But this reality doesn’t change, it's the undeniable truth that my alarm clock wasn’t the one behind the incessant noise that had dragged me free from my much needed sleep. I turn my gaze to the windows, just now noticing that-

Briiiiiing~

-it was still dark out, the moon illuminating my still darkened room. Yet the ringing continued unabated. It took my brain finally losing the haze of sleep before I thought to turn my gaze towards-

Briiiiiing~

-my apparently ringing phone???

I stare at the phone in bewilderment, baffled someone would even bother to call me at such an ungodly hour. Who could even think to call me right now??? Rather, who would even be awake to do so???

My confusion, however, is quickly replaced by extreme, mounting annoyance. I’d been enjoying a nice dream, a very nice one if I do say so myself, so to have it callously and rudely interrupted by some jerk…

I ignore the twitching of my eyes-

Briiiiiing~

-as I slip out of bed.

I ignore the grinding of my teeth-

Briiiiiing~

-as I cross my room.

I ignore the building anger undoubtedly-

Briiiiiing~

-showing on my face as I walk up to the phone.

Briiii-

“WHAT IS IT?”

I ignore my indignant yell into the phone. After all, whoever had thought to subject me to this form of torture at this hour deserved it.

Hypothetically speaking, of course, had I yelled. A Tohsaka heiress never yells. Or loses her calm. It was entirely beneath me.

“I’m glad to hear you’re so full of life at this hour Rin,” a deep, annoying voice answers over the phone, “Have you been waking up earlier like I’d advised?”

The bastard had the nerve to chuckle.

“Kirei, you’d better have a good reason for calling me so early in the morning, and of course I never took such ridiculous advice!”

I did not yell. I did not yell. I did not yell.

“I see”, he had the audacity to sound disappointed at that, “I merely thought to inform you that a certain problem of yours had arrived in Fuyuki.”

A problem of mine? I scour my brain for what he could be talking about. Having just woken up, I wasn’t exactly at my best at the moment. I’m more than a little confused when I come up blank.

I question, my voice a cross between miffed and confused,

“What problem are you talking about?”

He hums, “How forgetful of you, shouldn’t the heiress to the Tohsaka family be on top of anything and everything pertaining to her city?”

The nerve of this fake priest,

“I’m not in the mood for your crap, you sadist. Just tell me what the problem is so I can go back to sleep.”

He acquiesces, though I can hear the smile in his voice,

“Very well,” He seems to take pity on me, something that aggravates me to no end, but thankfully begins whatever report he has, “I have been alerted by my contacts that the Edelfelt family heiress has arrived in Japan and will likely be seeking to become a Master in the upcoming Grail War.”

I abandon all thoughts of going back to my peaceful sleep the second I process the words coming out his mouth. I’d already known Edelfelt was likely to rear her ugly head soon enough, but for it to be this soon…

I can’t fight the grimace burning onto my face,

“...I see, do you have any more information for me or is that all?”

“Pertaining to the Edelfelts? No, as I’m sure you know, their security and anti-espionage methods are both of the highest order. Gathering even this much was both difficult and extremely dangerous, Rin.”

I sigh, a little disappointed,

“Yeah, I hear you. Call me if anything comes up, I’m going back to sleep now.”

The sleepiness I’d thought gone from before had returned with a fierceness.

“Ah, Rin, you shou-”

I cut him off, no longer bothering to try and filter my annoyance,

“Goodbye, Kirei.”

I slam the phone down, ending the call. He’d been saying something before I cut him off, but it’d seemed like he’d gotten all the important information out of the way already. Perhaps it was rash of me to presume, but I’m allowed some annoyance at his random call.

Especially since he knows very well how I feel about getting up early.

My previous grimace returns, however, his words weighing on me. Despite my tiredness, I couldn’t simply dismiss that fake priest’s information. Out of all the Masters that I knew would show up in this war, aside from the Einzbern, the Edelfelt would bear the biggest challenge to me. Especially since I already knew who the Master would be, and had heard all about how impressive she was despite being the same age as me. For news of her renown to reach all the way here in Japan only increased my view of her as a threat.

I let out my second sigh of the night, before making my way back to my bed. Tired as I am, it’d be foolish of me to try and approach this problem without being at full capacity. It was certainly something that shouldn’t be put off, but I accept that I’m in no condition to plan out something so complicated and dangerous at the moment.

Climbing back into my western bed(I’d never really cared much for futons), I pull the blanket back over my exhausted form. I try my best to ignore the mounting feeling of dread in my chest, and instead let the peacefulness of sleep pull me under.

I don’t sleep as peacefully as I’d done a mere five minutes ago, thoughts of the upcoming War following me into my slumber.

-Elsewhere-

“Ah, Rin, you shou-”

The man in dark robes is cut off by an irritant voice,

“Goodbye, Kirei.”

The phone hangs up with a clack, and Kotomine Kirei sighs, before simply placing it down in acceptance.

“How unfortunate,” he muses, standing by a small table in a corner of a church. The lights are all off, and so the half moon hanging in the sky serves as the only thing illuminating the otherwise dark church.

“I’d been meaning to inform her of the fact that Archer and Saber were the only two open classes left, but it seems I caught her at a bad time.” Despite his words, the priest is smiling, as if he finds her unpreparedness amusing.

“I’m certain she’s received her Command Seals, I can only hope she plans to summon a Servant sooner rather than later.”

The moonlight around the dark man seems to bend, as if purposefully cloaking him in shadows. He is a tall man, very tall in fact, clothed head to toe in an attire befitting a member of the clergy. Sporting a golden cross necklace around his neck, brown hair frames his face in a slightly messy hairstyle. Everything about the man looks normal, in fact, of the participants in this coming disaster, he’s likely to be the most unassuming of them.

At least, until one took a gander at his eyes.

Dark brown eyes accompany the rest of his shadowed features. But whereas, everything else about the man was just dark in color, his eyes are actually a light brown in color. Yes, the reason those eyes could be considered ‘dark’ was certainly not because of the color or the tone, but rather a much deeper, more dangerous reason.

“Hmph. To throw away such an opportunity from the Grail is the height of foolishness. Though I expect nothing less from that mongrel, Tokiomi’s blood.”

In contrast to the priest, the young man that seemingly appears out of thin air is nothing less than exemplary.

To say he merely “stands out” is a gross understatement. If the man ever bothered to find himself in a crowd, it wouldn’t be wrong to say every last person there, regardless of age or sex, would be drawn to his radiant features. Blond, golden really, hair sits perfectly on his head. Perfectly cut bangs, adorn his ruby like eyes. Light, creamy skin, with not a blemish in sight, compliment the rest of his perfect appearance. Even the basic clothing he’s wearing, a black biker jacket with matching pants followed by a plain white shirt, look amazing on him. The man is nothing less than radiant, and the sheer aura that bleeds from him only further accentuates his impressive presence.

The priest merely chuckles at the man’s dismissive words.

“I cannot agree more my King, though I will say, Rin is far more interesting than her father.”

The man snorts, before turning his head away in disinterest,

“Pebbles on the side of the road are more interesting than Tokiomi was. Your words of praise fall flat, Kirei.”

The priest simply nods, his smile never leaving his face, “Perhaps, but I do truly believe Rin is quite the specimen. I'm confident you’ll quite enjoy her performance in this coming War.”

The Golden King glances back at the priest, head still turned, and drinks in his expression. A cruel smirk breaks through his mask of boredom, “Are you saying this because you are fond of her? It’d be unbecoming of you to take the side of that family of mongrels once again in this War.”

Kotomine simply shakes his head, “I can admit I’m a bit biased towards her, but I promise you my King, I will do nothing of the sort. Merely, as the person who looked after her after parents’ untimely demise-

The king snorts in amusement.

-I simply believe she will most certainly catch your attention.”

The golden man tilts his head right, then left, as if mulling it over. Eventually, however, his expression returns to its previously arrogant look.

“I suppose I’ll take your word for it, for your sake as much as her’s, I hope she does not disappoint me.”

The priest merely chuckles at the thinly veiled threat, before turning to look out the window. His eyes roam over the moonlit city, the majority of its lights turned off at this hour, before landing on a decently tall building with most of it's lights still on.

“I have the utmost faith my King. Rin, no, this War shall not disappoint you in any way.”

Amidst the darkness of the city, the Fuyuki General Hospital stands out like a beacon.

-Scene-

“.....”

“.....”

She blinks, drinking in my tired appearance.

“You look terrible, Rin.”

I roll my eyes at her bluntness,

“Really? What could possibly make you think that?” Standing at the gates to the school, and donning the school’s female uniform, was my best friend and closest confidant, Mitsuzuri Ayako.

She quirks an eyebrow in return, “Yeah, sorry, bad morning?”

I scoff, crossing my arms in indignation, “Try awful. I was woken up real early for something I couldn’t ignore.”

She nods, “I get it, waking up early’s a pain for everyone. I don’t think there’s anyone who would given the choice not to.”

I grumble out my agreement as we begin our trek into Homurahara Academy. Despite my complaints, I tend to arrive here a little early anyway, both to have some time to myself before class, and to uphold the image I’ve so painstakingly built for myself.

Knowing this, the brunette to the side of me smirks teasingly, ignoring the looks we’re getting from the students around us.

Or rather, the looks I’m getting.

“But to think even the great Tohsaka Rin could have bad days, even I find it hard to believe.”

I can’t help my second eye roll of the morning, moving slightly less gracefully than usual,

“I’m not some perfect goddess you know, I make mistakes like any other person. It’s perfectly normal to have bad days.”

(No, I am not trying to convince myself as well.)

The captain of the Archery club just laughs, “Could’ve fooled me. We’ve been friends since our first year of high school and I’ve never seen you have a bad day ever.”

“First time for everything,” I retort,

“More like the only time,” the Archery club captain shoots back.

We’ve just entered the building when I notice something odd,

“You didn’t head to the Archery club,” I note, before properly taking in her appearance this time, “and you’re wearing your school uniform and not your kyudogi.”

She shoots me a surprised look, “Wow, you must be really out of it if you only just now noticed that.”

My face burns under her naked concern, “I-I, ugh, how come you’re not going to practice?”

Ayako simply eyes me a little, before turning away, opening her mouth to answer.

But before she can get a word out, one of the underclassmen to the right of us says something that catches my attention.

“Hey, did you hear? That foreign transfer student from the upper class arrived today!”

His buddy to the far right answers with just as much enthusiasm.

“Yeah! I heard she came in reeeal early this morning in a decked out black car.”

My eyes widen.

Student #1 gasps, “Really? I figured she’d be pretty rich, but to come to school that way?”

Anxiety eats away at me from the inside,

‘There’s no way she’s actually here already, Kirei said she’d just arrived in Japan!’

Student #2 nods, “One of the upperclassmen said she was like, a foreign princess, or something.”

I hope,

‘Maybe it’s someone else?’

Student #1 pops the big question, “A foreign princess huh, that’s cool. Did anyone get her name?”

Student #2 smiles, and his answer seals my fate,

“Yeah, she said her name was-”

“E-Edelfelt-san?”

I’m standing in front of the door to my class.

Well almost every student in the school is right now.

But more importantly, I’m standing there to witness the most disgusting, most repulsive thing my eyes had ever seen. I’m entirely sure the Archery captain to the right of me feels the same, if for different reasons.

“Oh please, call me Luvia.”

Because standing in the front of the classroom, adorned in the Homurahara girls uniform, was a foreign girl.

But not just any foreign girl.

A really damn annoying foreign girl.

Long, luscious, golden locks flow freely from her head. Even her hairstyle, the drill-like design, is flashy and aristocratic. Her eyes are a cross between amber and gold, and they are full of joy, the joy one would feel at seeing a pleasant surprise. Except this surprise was anything but pleasant.

Because Luviagelita Edelfelt had arrived-

“After all, we’re friends aren’t we, Sherou?”

-and she was hugging Emiya Shirou like they were the dearest of friends.